Ankiel was recalled from the assignment last week because of a "little twinge" in the strained right quad, which has kept him out of the Major League lineup since May 3. He has remained with the Omaha club.

"Hopefully we can get him in a game in the middle of this week," Moore said. "He is feeling better, but if he can't go and has another setback, we'll probably get him back into Kansas City and re-evaluated."

Ankiel, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, plus a $6 million option for 2011, has played just 19 games for the Royals, batting .210. For Omaha, he was in six games, going 8-for-22 (.364) with two homers and five RBIs.

He will begin a new 20-day rehabilitation assignment when he returns to action with Omaha.

It's possible that Ankiel would not return to the Royals until after the All-Star break in mid-July.